earlier on this morning, the outgoing pope gave his final blessing at the vatican. >> yes, guys, they are right there. >> the 85-year-old spoke from his studio window addressing a huge crowd that packs st. peter square. estimated at roughly 100,000 people. the pope spoke in a clear, strong voice thanking the faithful for their closeness and affection and tried to reassure catholics that he is not abandoning the church. he'll be stepping down on thursday. the first pope to do so in 600 years. and then soon the search for the next pope will begin. a conclave of 120 cardinals will vote in vote on benedict'ssuccessor. >> we ask that you deliver this on to the cardinal that he excused himself from the upcoming table complex. >> one of those voting cardinal, roger mahoney is facing a backlash on his handling of a sexual abuse allegation andpedophile priests. they called him to excuse himself from the conclave. many of those protesters are from snap, the survivor networks of those abused by priests. there's been no date chosen for the conclave as the cardinals hope to have a new pope chosen